Harley Gerald Baisden was born in Lenore, West Virginia on Saturday, August 31, 1940, one of 10 children born to John Smith Baisden and Frankie (Evans) Baisden. His sisters and brothers included: Ivadenne Hatfield, Waville Dempsey, Eunice Ford, Christine (Cricket) Whitt, Virginia Parsons, Clayton (Cap) Baisden, Bill (Flip) Baisden, Guy Baisden, and Greg Baisden. The Baisden family was widely known in political circles throughout West Virginia.
Harley was named after his mother's brother, Harley Evans, who as a youngster, died after being thrown from a horse.
Frankie Baisden said that growing up, her son, Harley, was given the nickname "Bull" due to his bull-headedness.
In 1954, six weeks shy of his 14th birthday, Harley's father, known as Smith, died following a lengthy battle with bone marrow cancer. To help earn money and support the family, Harley worked odd jobs and would walk along the railroad tracks near the family home in Baisdentown, picking up scrap iron, selling it to a local salvage dealer.
He attended schools in the Lenore area and graduated from Lenore High School in 1958. After graduation, he worked for a time in Chicago, Illinois and Columbus, Ohio before returning to West Virginia.
Harley began working for the Mingo County Board of Education in 1963, garnering respect of children and adults alike. The following year, in the summer of 1964, he met Jonell Trivett, of Naugatuck, West Virginia. She was the daughter of Wirth and Vera Trivett. Following a whirlwind courtship, Harley and Jonell were married at Parsley Bottom Free Will Baptist Church on the evening of October 23, 1964 . Three days after celebrating their first wedding anniversary, the couple celebrated another major event, this time the birth of their only child. On October 26, 1965, Harley and Jonell Baisden welcomed a son they named Barry Gerald Baisden. Barry Baisden would pursue a career in television finding success as an Emmy Award-winning television news journalist and anchor.
Among his hobbies, Harley was an avid coin collector. He had numerous rare silver coins that dated back to the beginning of the 19th Century. Harley was also compassionate toward animals. Over the years, he rescued numerous strays he found along area highways, some of whom had been abused to the point of being near death.
In April 1992, Harley was admitted to Cabell Huntington Hospital in the final stages of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. On May 5th, he was baptized in the hospital's physical therapy facility by Rev. Glenn White, pastor of Central United Baptist Church in Logan, West Virginia, and accepted membership into the church. This was the church at which his wife had been a longtime member.
Harley had planned to retire at the end of the current school term. However, he wouldn't live to do so. Just a few days before his death, he spoke fondly of his years of service to Mingo County Schools saying he enjoyed working with children and meeting people.
At 6:42 on Saturday evening, May 9, 1992, the day before Mother's Day, Harley passed away peacefully at the age of 51. His wife and son were at his bedside, with Barry holding his hand. He was the first of Smith and Frankie Baisden's children to die.
On Monday evening, May 11th, a wake service was held at Weaver Mortuary, in Williamson, West Virginia. Prior to the doors being opened to the public, Jonell and Barry Baisden spent time with Harley one last time. Before his casket was closed, Barry placed a gold angel pin on the lapel of his dad's suit jacket which signified the presence of angels Harley could see in the days leading up to his death. Later, wife and son stood for 3 hours beside Harley's closed copper and bronze casket covered with cascading yellow roses, shaking hands with hundreds of people who turned out to pay their respects. More than 200 floral arrangements filled the chapel, a fitting tribute to a man who was beloved by all who knew him.
The owner of Weaver Mortuary, Olin Weaver, would later say that Harley's was one of the largest funerals held in the history of the funeral home. It was a service filled with song since Harley had always enjoyed gospel music. At 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, May 12, 1992 an overflowing crowd packed the mortuary. Due to limited seating in the 2 chapels, and additional seating set up in the lobby, some people were left to stand outside the mortuary and listen to the service on speakers installed just for the occasion. State and local dignitaries were among the hundreds of mourners attending the service, hearing a eulogy written by Harley's son, and words of comfort delivered by Rev. Glenn White. Accompanied on the piano by Rachel Runyon, the crowd listened to the soft, harmonious voices of sisters Connie Sue Moore and Sandra Runyon, as they sang "Angels All Around You", "There'll Be a Payday at the End of the Road", "The Seven Trumpets", "Look For Me", and "That Sounds Like Home To Me".
After the service, the mile-long motorcade made its way to Mountain View Memory Gardens, in Maher, West Virginia. After a brief prayer, Harley was entombed in the Garden of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum. Upon their deaths, both Jonell Baisden and Barry Baisden will be entombed in adjacent crypts. A few yards away stands the large white marble headstone marking the graves of Harley's parents.
Harley served the children of the Lenore and Naugatuck areas for 29 years. A memorial plaque was placed in the school as remembrance of his years of service to the children of Mingo County, West Virginia.
In the years following his death, Harley's widow, Jonell Baisden, presented an annual award honoring her late husband. The Harley Baisden Memorial Award was given to a student at Lenore Elementary School who embodied an upstanding character and outstanding citizenship.
Harley was named after his mother's brother, Harley Evans, who as a youngster, died after being thrown from a horse.
Frankie Baisden said that growing up, her son, Harley, was given the nickname "Bull" due to his bull-headedness.
In 1954, six weeks shy of his 14th birthday, Harley's father, known as Smith, died following a lengthy battle with bone marrow cancer. To help earn money and support the family, Harley worked odd jobs and would walk along the railroad tracks near the family home in Baisdentown, picking up scrap iron, selling it to a local salvage dealer.
He attended schools in the Lenore area and graduated from Lenore High School in 1958. After graduation, he worked for a time in Chicago, Illinois and Columbus, Ohio before returning to West Virginia.
Harley began working for the Mingo County Board of Education in 1963, garnering respect of children and adults alike. The following year, in the summer of 1964, he met Jonell Trivett, of Naugatuck, West Virginia. She was the daughter of Wirth and Vera Trivett. Following a whirlwind courtship, Harley and Jonell were married at Parsley Bottom Free Will Baptist Church on the evening of October 23, 1964 . Three days after celebrating their first wedding anniversary, the couple celebrated another major event, this time the birth of their only child. On October 26, 1965, Harley and Jonell Baisden welcomed a son they named Barry Gerald Baisden. Barry Baisden would pursue a career in television finding success as an Emmy Award-winning television news journalist and anchor.
Among his hobbies, Harley was an avid coin collector. He had numerous rare silver coins that dated back to the beginning of the 19th Century. Harley was also compassionate toward animals. Over the years, he rescued numerous strays he found along area highways, some of whom had been abused to the point of being near death.
In April 1992, Harley was admitted to Cabell Huntington Hospital in the final stages of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. On May 5th, he was baptized in the hospital's physical therapy facility by Rev. Glenn White, pastor of Central United Baptist Church in Logan, West Virginia, and accepted membership into the church. This was the church at which his wife had been a longtime member.
Harley had planned to retire at the end of the current school term. However, he wouldn't live to do so. Just a few days before his death, he spoke fondly of his years of service to Mingo County Schools saying he enjoyed working with children and meeting people.
At 6:42 on Saturday evening, May 9, 1992, the day before Mother's Day, Harley passed away peacefully at the age of 51. His wife and son were at his bedside, with Barry holding his hand. He was the first of Smith and Frankie Baisden's children to die.
On Monday evening, May 11th, a wake service was held at Weaver Mortuary, in Williamson, West Virginia. Prior to the doors being opened to the public, Jonell and Barry Baisden spent time with Harley one last time. Before his casket was closed, Barry placed a gold angel pin on the lapel of his dad's suit jacket which signified the presence of angels Harley could see in the days leading up to his death. Later, wife and son stood for 3 hours beside Harley's closed copper and bronze casket covered with cascading yellow roses, shaking hands with hundreds of people who turned out to pay their respects. More than 200 floral arrangements filled the chapel, a fitting tribute to a man who was beloved by all who knew him.
The owner of Weaver Mortuary, Olin Weaver, would later say that Harley's was one of the largest funerals held in the history of the funeral home. It was a service filled with song since Harley had always enjoyed gospel music. At 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, May 12, 1992 an overflowing crowd packed the mortuary. Due to limited seating in the 2 chapels, and additional seating set up in the lobby, some people were left to stand outside the mortuary and listen to the service on speakers installed just for the occasion. State and local dignitaries were among the hundreds of mourners attending the service, hearing a eulogy written by Harley's son, and words of comfort delivered by Rev. Glenn White. Accompanied on the piano by Rachel Runyon, the crowd listened to the soft, harmonious voices of sisters Connie Sue Moore and Sandra Runyon, as they sang "Angels All Around You", "There'll Be a Payday at the End of the Road", "The Seven Trumpets", "Look For Me", and "That Sounds Like Home To Me".
After the service, the mile-long motorcade made its way to Mountain View Memory Gardens, in Maher, West Virginia. After a brief prayer, Harley was entombed in the Garden of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum. Upon their deaths, both Jonell Baisden and Barry Baisden will be entombed in adjacent crypts. A few yards away stands the large white marble headstone marking the graves of Harley's parents.
Harley served the children of the Lenore and Naugatuck areas for 29 years. A memorial plaque was placed in the school as remembrance of his years of service to the children of Mingo County, West Virginia.
In the years following his death, Harley's widow, Jonell Baisden, presented an annual award honoring her late husband. The Harley Baisden Memorial Award was given to a student at Lenore Elementary School who embodied an upstanding character and outstanding citizenship.
Harley Gerald Baisden was born in Lenore, West Virginia on Saturday, August 31, 1940, one of 10 children born to John Smith Baisden and Frankie (Evans) Baisden. His sisters and brothers included: Ivadenne Hatfield, Waville Dempsey, Eunice Ford, Christine (Cricket) Whitt, Virginia Parsons, Clayton (Cap) Baisden, Bill (Flip) Baisden, Guy Baisden, and Greg Baisden. The Baisden family was widely known in political circles throughout West Virginia.
Harley was named after his mother's brother, Harley Evans, who as a youngster, died after being thrown from a horse.
Frankie Baisden said that growing up, her son, Harley, was given the nickname "Bull" due to his bull-headedness.
In 1954, six weeks shy of his 14th birthday, Harley's father, known as Smith, died following a lengthy battle with bone marrow cancer. To help earn money and support the family, Harley worked odd jobs and would walk along the railroad tracks near the family home in Baisdentown, picking up scrap iron, selling it to a local salvage dealer.
He attended schools in the Lenore area and graduated from Lenore High School in 1958. After graduation, he worked for a time in Chicago, Illinois and Columbus, Ohio before returning to West Virginia.
Harley began working for the Mingo County Board of Education in 1963, garnering respect of children and adults alike. The following year, in the summer of 1964, he met Jonell Trivett, of Naugatuck, West Virginia. She was the daughter of Wirth and Vera Trivett. Following a whirlwind courtship, Harley and Jonell were married at Parsley Bottom Free Will Baptist Church on the evening of October 23, 1964 . Three days after celebrating their first wedding anniversary, the couple celebrated another major event, this time the birth of their only child. On October 26, 1965, Harley and Jonell Baisden welcomed a son they named Barry Gerald Baisden. Barry Baisden would pursue a career in television finding success as an Emmy Award-winning television news journalist and anchor.
Among his hobbies, Harley was an avid coin collector. He had numerous rare silver coins that dated back to the beginning of the 19th Century. Harley was also compassionate toward animals. Over the years, he rescued numerous strays he found along area highways, some of whom had been abused to the point of being near death.
In April 1992, Harley was admitted to Cabell Huntington Hospital in the final stages of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. On May 5th, he was baptized in the hospital's physical therapy facility by Rev. Glenn White, pastor of Central United Baptist Church in Logan, West Virginia, and accepted membership into the church. This was the church at which his wife had been a longtime member.
Harley had planned to retire at the end of the current school term. However, he wouldn't live to do so. Just a few days before his death, he spoke fondly of his years of service to Mingo County Schools saying he enjoyed working with children and meeting people.
At 6:42 on Saturday evening, May 9, 1992, the day before Mother's Day, Harley passed away peacefully at the age of 51. His wife and son were at his bedside, with Barry holding his hand. He was the first of Smith and Frankie Baisden's children to die.
On Monday evening, May 11th, a wake service was held at Weaver Mortuary, in Williamson, West Virginia. Prior to the doors being opened to the public, Jonell and Barry Baisden spent time with Harley one last time. Before his casket was closed, Barry placed a gold angel pin on the lapel of his dad's suit jacket which signified the presence of angels Harley could see in the days leading up to his death. Later, wife and son stood for 3 hours beside Harley's closed copper and bronze casket covered with cascading yellow roses, shaking hands with hundreds of people who turned out to pay their respects. More than 200 floral arrangements filled the chapel, a fitting tribute to a man who was beloved by all who knew him.
The owner of Weaver Mortuary, Olin Weaver, would later say that Harley's was one of the largest funerals held in the history of the funeral home. It was a service filled with song since Harley had always enjoyed gospel music. At 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, May 12, 1992 an overflowing crowd packed the mortuary. Due to limited seating in the 2 chapels, and additional seating set up in the lobby, some people were left to stand outside the mortuary and listen to the service on speakers installed just for the occasion. State and local dignitaries were among the hundreds of mourners attending the service, hearing a eulogy written by Harley's son, and words of comfort delivered by Rev. Glenn White. Accompanied on the piano by Rachel Runyon, the crowd listened to the soft, harmonious voices of sisters Connie Sue Moore and Sandra Runyon, as they sang "Angels All Around You", "There'll Be a Payday at the End of the Road", "The Seven Trumpets", "Look For Me", and "That Sounds Like Home To Me".
After the service, the mile-long motorcade made its way to Mountain View Memory Gardens, in Maher, West Virginia. After a brief prayer, Harley was entombed in the Garden of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum. Upon their deaths, both Jonell Baisden and Barry Baisden will be entombed in adjacent crypts. A few yards away stands the large white marble headstone marking the graves of Harley's parents.
Harley served the children of the Lenore and Naugatuck areas for 29 years. A memorial plaque was placed in the school as remembrance of his years of service to the children of Mingo County, West Virginia.
In the years following his death, Harley's widow, Jonell Baisden, presented an annual award honoring her late husband. The Harley Baisden Memorial Award was given to a student at Lenore Elementary School who embodied an upstanding character and outstanding citizenship.
Harley was named after his mother's brother, Harley Evans, who as a youngster, died after being thrown from a horse.
Frankie Baisden said that growing up, her son, Harley, was given the nickname "Bull" due to his bull-headedness.
In 1954, six weeks shy of his 14th birthday, Harley's father, known as Smith, died following a lengthy battle with bone marrow cancer. To help earn money and support the family, Harley worked odd jobs and would walk along the railroad tracks near the family home in Baisdentown, picking up scrap iron, selling it to a local salvage dealer.
He attended schools in the Lenore area and graduated from Lenore High School in 1958. After graduation, he worked for a time in Chicago, Illinois and Columbus, Ohio before returning to West Virginia.
Harley began working for the Mingo County Board of Education in 1963, garnering respect of children and adults alike. The following year, in the summer of 1964, he met Jonell Trivett, of Naugatuck, West Virginia. She was the daughter of Wirth and Vera Trivett. Following a whirlwind courtship, Harley and Jonell were married at Parsley Bottom Free Will Baptist Church on the evening of October 23, 1964 . Three days after celebrating their first wedding anniversary, the couple celebrated another major event, this time the birth of their only child. On October 26, 1965, Harley and Jonell Baisden welcomed a son they named Barry Gerald Baisden. Barry Baisden would pursue a career in television finding success as an Emmy Award-winning television news journalist and anchor.
Among his hobbies, Harley was an avid coin collector. He had numerous rare silver coins that dated back to the beginning of the 19th Century. Harley was also compassionate toward animals. Over the years, he rescued numerous strays he found along area highways, some of whom had been abused to the point of being near death.
In April 1992, Harley was admitted to Cabell Huntington Hospital in the final stages of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. On May 5th, he was baptized in the hospital's physical therapy facility by Rev. Glenn White, pastor of Central United Baptist Church in Logan, West Virginia, and accepted membership into the church. This was the church at which his wife had been a longtime member.
Harley had planned to retire at the end of the current school term. However, he wouldn't live to do so. Just a few days before his death, he spoke fondly of his years of service to Mingo County Schools saying he enjoyed working with children and meeting people.
At 6:42 on Saturday evening, May 9, 1992, the day before Mother's Day, Harley passed away peacefully at the age of 51. His wife and son were at his bedside, with Barry holding his hand. He was the first of Smith and Frankie Baisden's children to die.
On Monday evening, May 11th, a wake service was held at Weaver Mortuary, in Williamson, West Virginia. Prior to the doors being opened to the public, Jonell and Barry Baisden spent time with Harley one last time. Before his casket was closed, Barry placed a gold angel pin on the lapel of his dad's suit jacket which signified the presence of angels Harley could see in the days leading up to his death. Later, wife and son stood for 3 hours beside Harley's closed copper and bronze casket covered with cascading yellow roses, shaking hands with hundreds of people who turned out to pay their respects. More than 200 floral arrangements filled the chapel, a fitting tribute to a man who was beloved by all who knew him.
The owner of Weaver Mortuary, Olin Weaver, would later say that Harley's was one of the largest funerals held in the history of the funeral home. It was a service filled with song since Harley had always enjoyed gospel music. At 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, May 12, 1992 an overflowing crowd packed the mortuary. Due to limited seating in the 2 chapels, and additional seating set up in the lobby, some people were left to stand outside the mortuary and listen to the service on speakers installed just for the occasion. State and local dignitaries were among the hundreds of mourners attending the service, hearing a eulogy written by Harley's son, and words of comfort delivered by Rev. Glenn White. Accompanied on the piano by Rachel Runyon, the crowd listened to the soft, harmonious voices of sisters Connie Sue Moore and Sandra Runyon, as they sang "Angels All Around You", "There'll Be a Payday at the End of the Road", "The Seven Trumpets", "Look For Me", and "That Sounds Like Home To Me".
After the service, the mile-long motorcade made its way to Mountain View Memory Gardens, in Maher, West Virginia. After a brief prayer, Harley was entombed in the Garden of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum. Upon their deaths, both Jonell Baisden and Barry Baisden will be entombed in adjacent crypts. A few yards away stands the large white marble headstone marking the graves of Harley's parents.
Harley served the children of the Lenore and Naugatuck areas for 29 years. A memorial plaque was placed in the school as remembrance of his years of service to the children of Mingo County, West Virginia.
In the years following his death, Harley's widow, Jonell Baisden, presented an annual award honoring her late husband. The Harley Baisden Memorial Award was given to a student at Lenore Elementary School who embodied an upstanding character and outstanding citizenship.
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